Oil-well-cleaning composition



Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANCIS DALY SULLIVAN, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

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17o Drawing.

This invention relates to a composition for cleaning oil wells.

An object of this invention resides in providing a method for cleaningoil wells which consists in preparing a composition having heatgenerating properties in contact with water, oil or the like, andconveying and discharging a quantity of said-composition to the bottomof a well and releasing it for contact with oil and water in said wellfor generating heat in the well and generating a gas for dissolving,melting and cleaning substances in said well clogging the flowtherethrough.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a well cleaningcompositionhaving heat and gas generating properties in contact withwater and oil, particularly adapted for usein oil wells for melting anddissolving paraflin and asphaltum' and carryinglthe same in solution tothe top of the wel Y A. further object of the invention resides inproviding an oil well cleaning composition 'wherein caustic soda orbarium oxide and aluminum powder or filings form the principalingredients of the composition and which are adapted for creating alarge amount of heat and gas'in contact with water and oil adapted toreact thereon for removing paraffin and asphaltum fromthe casing of thewell. v

A still further object of the invention resides in providing acomposition for'cleaning oil wells having heat, gas and foam generatingproperties in contact with water and oil ada ting it for use in oilwells for melting an dissolving paraflin and asphal-- tum and carryingthe same in solution to the top of the well.

The invention also includes other objects and improvements in the mannerof carrying out the method, and preparation of the composition which aremore articularly pointed out. in the following etailed description andclaims, directed to a preferred method and composition, it beingunderstood however that various changes may be made therein withoutdeparting fromthe spirit and scope of this invention as described. and

claimed. I a It has been found from practical experi ment thatflcausticsoda and aluminum filings or powder or barium oxide and aluminum filingsinter-mesh when brought into contact Application filed July 23,

1924. Serial No. 727,718.

with water and oil such as found in oil wells that an acid reaction willtake place generatmg a great heat and forming a gas that will create afurther heat and generate pressure in the presence of the oil and water.A small proportion of these substances in comparison with the well willgenerate sufficient heat to melt paraflin and asphaltum and dissolve thesame from the sides of the well and the well casing to form aresultantsolution of the two which will rise to the top of the well and may beconveniently pumped off. It is preferred however to use caustic soda 1nview of the fact that it is more soluble than barium oxide, but it is tobe understood that either, or a mixture of both are adapted for use in'carrying out the method in making the composition according to thisinvention. A" mixture of from five. to seventy-five per cent of aluminumfilings and ninety five to twenty-five per cent of caustics'oda orbarium oxide is found to produce the desired result in an eflicientmanner, and if desired any proportion of a mixture of caustic soda andbarium oxide may be used with the above percentages of aluminum filings.

Under some conditions it is found desirable to inter-mix with thecomposition ofaluminum filings, caustic soda or barium oxide, about 3%of sodium bicarbonate and about 3% of citric acid to give anefiervescent effect during the heat and gas eneration in the well whichwill aid in the issolving and'cleaning of the desired substance from thewell. It is also found desirable under certain conditions to add about3% of soap powderor saponin or a mixture of both in order that a foamyaction in combination with the gaseous action thereof will be generatedin order to set up a thorough circulation of the material in the well ordistributing the heat and also affecting a cleaning action on the sidesof the well andcasing. This foamy action results from the use of. soapowder or saponin by the gaseous eruption etween the aluminum filings andcaustic soda and, or barium oxide in contact with the water.

4 The composition above described is packed in a suitab e containerready for use in an oil well and while it may be dumped into the top ofthe well or applied in any other suitable manner, it is found mostdesirable to place the container. in a suitable carrier and convey thecomposition to. the bottom of the and water in the well.

suitable 'manner to permit the contact and intermingling of the solutionwith the oil This would enerate a great heat at the bottom of the we Iwhich will pass upwardly due to the gaseous action and the foamy andeffervescent effect gener ated by the several substances of the comosition. It is found that this compositlon mixed with water willliberate heat amounting to approximately 368.6 calories per gram, orapproximately 663.5 B. t. u. per pound. The foam generated by thereactlon will rise through the well and with the cleaning and dissolvingaction of the heat, gas and ingredients of the composition will cleanthe sides of the well and carry all paraffin and asphaltum whichnormally clogs the pipes and casing and thefissures in the well andprevents the flow therein to the top of the well in solution, afterwhich it may be subsequently pumped off in a convenient manner and thewell restored to normal and efficient operation.

Having thus described I claim is v 1;" An oil well cleaning compositioncomprising caustic soda, aluminum powder, sodium bicarbonate, soappowder, saponin, and citric acid.

2. An oil well, cleaning composition comprising caustic soda, bariumoxide, aluminum powder, soduim bicarbonate, soap powder, saponin, andcitric acid. p

.3. An oil well cleaning composition 'consisting of as its principalconstituents caustic soda, aluminum powder, sodium bicarbonate andcitric acid. i

4, An oil well cleaning composition con-- sisting of as its principalconstituents caustic soda, aluminum po'wder, sodium bicarbonate, citricacid and soap powder.

5. An oil well cleaning composition consisting of as its principalconstituents causthe invention, what tic soda, aluminum powder, sodiumbicaronaceous agent.

bonate, citric acid, and-a sa In testimony whereof I a my slgnature.

FRANCIS DALY SULLIVAN.

